Kerestes scored all eight points in an 8-2 Lutheran run to pull the Crusaders to within 26-21 with eight seconds left in the half, but Holt hit a 3 at the buzzer and Lutheran (19-11) never came within six points again.

"We all wanted to prove that even though we are young we could show other teams what we have," a teary Kerestes said. "We all played our hearts out. We could have hit more shots, but there's nothing else we could do. I wouldn't change a thing."

Lutheran won't have to. The top six Crusaders are two freshmen, three sophomores and a junior, including 6-2 sophomore Abby Woollacott (10 points, nine rebounds). That could mean another rematch as the Rockets (26-4) also return every player.

"It still hurts," Kerestes said. "Even though we are basically all coming back next year, it's not going to be the same. We wanted to show we could do it now. Coming as far as we did is really good and we're all proud of ourselves, but we thought we could have gone further."